Postal Scam: Postmaster in dock over funds embezzlement in Dhenkanal

Dhenkanal: A day after arrest of a postmaster in Cuttack on charges of embezzling more than Rs 1 crore of depositors, similar allegations were levelled against the postmaster of Kandabindha in Dhenkanal district on Friday.

The depositors alleged that the postmaster is not opening the post office since last few days and they suspect that he has absconded with the money.

Tension prevailed in the region as hundreds of depositors gathered before the post office today and demanded refund of their money and inquiry into the incident.

“I had deposited Rs 55,000 but when I arrived to withdraw the money for my daughter’s marriage, I found there is no money in my account. The postmaster has decamped with money of the villagers. Senior officers of postal department should conduct a probe and take steps for returning our money”, said a depositor Basanti Patra.

“I had deposited nearly Rs 40,000 in the post office and needed money for an eye operation. But the postmaster is not coming to the office since the last four days. He might have absconded with money of the villagers amounting to more than Rs 1 crore,” said Judhistir Sahu, another depositor.

Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices, Dhenkanal Sub-division, Sarbeswar Baliarsingh, visited the spot to take stock of the situation.

“We had received a complaint and during investigation came to know that the post master had closed the office and is absconding since January 5. We are opening the office today and will conduct a probe in this connection,” said Baliarsingh.

“The depositors will definitely get back the money mentioned in their passbook with official seal. We will take appropriate action in this regard soon,” he added.